The average cost of a care home place has almost doubled over the past two decades and is now nearing £1,000 a week, according to the latest data.

A cruel combination of short supply, care home operators falling into financial difficulty and tightening local authority budgets means private payers – those who get no assistance with fees – are especially hard hit.

Research carried out earlier this year by industry experts LaingBuisson found that the average weekly fee for residential care with nursing had risen from £445 in 1998 to £845 this year.